Canada PR Visa for the Perez Family

The Perez received their PR Visas on Feb 10, 2010. It only took five months after submitting their application and supporting documents to Canadian Visa Office Manila on September 2009!

Ms. Alma Perez is a Registered Nurse who have several years of experience as a Company Nurse. I have said it before and I'm saying it again, you don't need a hospital experience to qualify as a Nurse. And this is another proof.

If you are just a new registered nurse and is planning to live and work in Canada you do not have to acquire a hospital experience. Volunteer work in a hospital does not count as work experience under Canada's Points System in determining your eligibility.

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Gateway to Canada now on Skype!

Here's another way to get connected with Canada Visa Application Online Resource.

GatewayToCanada is already on Facebook. Make it your page, too! We're also on Twitter!

Through a Webcall, you can call us for free. The good thing about this webcall is that I don't need to be online. I will receive your calls through our office land lines. That is if I'm in the office. If you will either Thursday or Friday, there is a great chance that I'm in the office.

And now, you can also contact us for free through Skype. Simply add my Skype ID: gatewaytocanada.

Let's get connected!

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I want to immigrate to Canada but I have Financial Proplem

Many Filipinos actually have a dream to live and work in Canada, but not all of us have the courage and commitment to make such decision. One of the common hindrances is what we perceive as financial problems.

There are even some who asks first about the expenses or cost to be incurred even before knowing the process or if they are eligible in the first place. I receive this kind of emails almost daily.

Expenses should be your last concern if you really are determined to have a better quality of life in Canada. Because if you think you have financial problems now, when do you think was the last time that you don't have any? In every stages of our lives, financial concerns are there. That's a reality we are all facing.

In my years of experience dealing with applicants who want to immigrate to Canada, I came to realize that there are two types of people when it comes to financial problems.

The first group makes financial concerns as an excuse not to pursue their dream. The second group makes it the reason to make a serious decision and courageously takes the challenge.

If you belong to the 2nd group, you may send your updated resume for assessment.

Life is what we make it. It's choice, not chance, that determines your destiny.

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The Canada Revenue Agency warns Canadians of mail scam

Here's a warning from Canada Revenu Agency (CRA) regarding a mail scam.

The Canada Revenue Agency warns Canadians of mail scam

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is warning taxpayers to beware of a recent scam where some Canadians are receiving a letter fraudulently identified as coming from the CRA and asking for personal information. The letter is not from the CRA. A PDF version of the letter is available on the CRA Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/alert.

The letter claims that there is “insufficient information” for the individual’s tax return and that in order to receive any “claims,” they will have to update their records. The letter attaches a form specifically requesting the individual’s personal information in writing, via fax or email, including information on bank accounts and passports. This letter is not from the CRA and Canadians should not provide their personal information to the sender.

All taxpayers should be vigilant when divulging any confidential information to third parties. The CRA has well established practices to protect the confidentiality of taxpayers’ information.

The CRA has notified the proper law enforcement authorities of this scam.

For information about this and other similar scams, or to report deceptive telemarketing activity, visit www.phonebusters.com, send an email to info@phonebusters.com, or call 1-888-495-8501.

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Sponsorship Eligiblity | Can I sposor my spouse and children even if I'm outside Canada?

Here's an interesting question from one of my blog readers - Can I sponsor my spouse and dependent children even if I'm outside Canada?

The answer depends whether you are a Canadian Citizen or just a Permanent Resident and the reason why you are outside Canada.

Here are the conditions for you to be eligible to become a sponsor from http://cic.gc.ca:

the person you want to sponsor is a member of the family class;
Note: If that person is not a member of the family class, you will not meet sponsorship requirements and, therefore, your application to sponsor will not be approved and the application for permanent residence of the person you want to sponsor will be refused, unless you decide to withdraw your sponsorship application. If you withdraw the sponsorship, you will have no appeal rights.

you are 18 years of age or older;

you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;

you reside in Canada;

Canadian citizens not residing in Canada may sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner and/or dependent children who have no dependent children of their own. Canadians travelling abroad as tourists are not considered to be residing outside Canada.

Sponsors not residing in Canada must provide evidence that they reside exclusively outside Canada on the date of giving the undertaking and will reside in Canada at the time their sponsored spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner and/or children become permanent residents of Canada. Evidence that they will reside in Canada may include one or more of the following:

letter from an employer;

letter of acceptance to a Canadian educational institution;

proof of having rented/bought a dwelling in Canada;

reasonable plans for re-establishing in Canada or severing ties to the other country.

you sign an undertaking promising to provide for the basic requirements of the person being sponsored and, if applicable, his or her family members;

you and the person being sponsored sign an agreement that confirms that each of you understands your mutual obligations and responsibilities;

you have an income that is at least equal to the minimum necessary income, the amount of which is published yearly by the Canadian government. You will have to provide us with documents that show your financial resources for the past 12 months and prove you are financially able to sponsor members of the family class. You may solicit the help of a co-signer (must be your spouse or common-law partner). If you reside in Quebec, see also Sponsors living in Quebec.

This condition does not apply if you are sponsoring only

your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner who has no dependent children, or

your spouse, common-law or conjugal partner whose dependent children have no children of their own, or

your dependent child who has no children of his or her own.

If you are permanent resident in Canada but is currently in the Philippines just for a vacation, you are not considered residing outside Canada.

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Earning dollars need not be difficult. You don't need to leave your family behind.

In the past, most Filipino Nurses are more inclined in pursuing an application to the US than Canada for two common reasons. First, processing period to immigrate to Canada used to be 3-5 years. Most Filipino don't want that, most of us want to board the plane right after we submit our resume for evaluation. Second, most nurses prefer that they have an assured job waiting for them. Not that many understand the concept and advantages of a permanent resident visa application.

But this preference changed when hiring of foreign nurses in the US was put on hold.



Ms. Ruby Calasag, a Registered Nurse, was one of them. She came to the office few days before the Ministerial Instruction identifying 38 high demand occupations and a promise of 6-12 months processing period. That time, I told her that the processing period may take about 3-5 years. She went home a bit disappointed. Imagine her surprise (or doubt?) when I gave her a ring less than a week after informing her that there were changes in the immigration regulations and that processing period may now be only 6-12 months!

After explaining the changes and erasing all her doubts, she eventually signed up with us we were able to send her application to Centralized Intake Office (CIO) on March 9, 2009. A positive assessment from CIO on April 24, 2009.

Her husband is currently working in Saudi, thus, it took them a while before finally completing the requirements, which were submitted to Canadian Visa Office in Manila on July 29, 2009. They received the approval and medical instruction on October 3, 2009. That's only two months and few days after submission of documents!

But because her husband in working in Suadi and preferred to undergo medical examination in Designated Medical Practitioners in Manila and that it took him a while to get the Saudi Police clearance, there was a delay in the issuance of their visas, which were issued early this month.

They will be moving to Canada this April 2010. They will no longer have to be physically separated just to earn a decent income. Clearly, permanent resident visa application is way better than being an overseas contract worker. You don't need to be separated with your love ones just to earn in dollars.

She visited our office yesterday for some landing concern queries, I asked her if she now believes in the 6-12 months processing period that I told her before. All she can return is that sweet smile followed by a contagious laughter. :-)

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Canadian Immigration Police Bureau Canada Service

There is no such thing as Canadian Immigration Police Bureau Canada Service. So if you receive an email from them offering you a job. Simply mark their email as spam.

Here's a sample email forwarded to me by one of my blog readers.

ATTENTION CLIENT,

The Canadian Immigration Police Bureau Canada Service is part of the Home Office's Immigration and Nationality Directorate. The Canadian Immigration Police Bureau Canada Service has its Headquarters Building ; 1200 Vanier Parkway Ottawa ON K1A 0R2 and is responsible for controlling entry to the Canada . It has two directorates: the Border Control Directorate controls ports of entry and the Enforcement and Removals Directorate is responsible for the identification, monitoring, and removal or deportation of immigration offenders.

The Aliens Act 1905 first created immigration officers with the power to control those entering Canada . Today it is the Immigration Act 1971 (as amended by subsequent legislation) which is the primary source of Canadian Immigrations powers. Although Canadian Immigration Officers are civil servants, they are also warranted officers with powers to search arrest and detain those suspected of breaching the Canada Immigration laws. They also have powers under Canada terrorism legislation. Canadian Immigration Officers work at all major airports and seaports. They also operate at the ferry and rail terminals, to prevent those lacking the appropriate documents from boarding passenger services to Canada .

To have a work permit, Citizenship and Immigration Canada generally requires that foreign individual seeking to work in Canada obtain employment authorization from Canadian immigration before we can grant request for Visa/working permit. Therefore, the office of the Canadian immigration request that you furnish us with the following aforementioned documents

YOU ARE DEMANDED TO PROCURE THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS.

1. APPOINTMENT LETTER FROM THE HOTEL.
2. EMPLOYING FOREIGN WORKERS APPLICATION FORMS (HRSDC)

SPECIMEN BELOW:

Image is from the forwarded email

We wait to receive the following to proceed with your application. The Canadian Immigration Police Bureau Canada assessment office will forward your application for work permit when these documents are received. It is important to bring you procedure that will make your application a reality. The Canadian immigration will assess your documents, and if approve, we shall submit your files to your country for final approval before your working visa will be issue after assessment and legal verification of documents you will be receive your visa hard copies documents by DHL or POST along with your visa appointment date to visit Canadian local embassy in your country with the below aforementioned.



Mr. John Brown.
D.G
Immigration Bureau Department
Canada.
Sign

If you have a pending work permit application and is being required by this Canadian Immigration Police Bureau Canada Service to send them your LMO and any other document, ignore their email.

Once you already have an LMO, the next step is to send your Temporary Resident Visa - Work Permit application to Canadian Visa Office responsible for your country. Information about Canada Visa application are available at the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website - http://cic.gc.ca.

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SCAM Alert: VAM OIL AND GAS COMPANY LIMITED

VAM OIL AND GAS COMPANY LIMITED is victimizing applicants who wish to work in London. But just the same, I decided to post it here hoping to expose these scammers and for my blog readers to be aware. Who knows, they can easily change the details and later make it Canada.

More information here: VAM OIL AND GAS COMPANY LIMITED SCAM

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Are you doing it for the right reason?

Because of the nature of my job, I have the chance to meet people from all walks of life - doctors, lawyers, professors, nurses, technician, welders, electricians nurses, etc. They have one thing in common - they are looking for an alternative to what they are doing now. They want change. They want to explore opportunities in Canada.

But Canada isn't for everyone. If one is to read NotCanada.Com's Top 8 Reasons Why not to Immigrate to Canada, some may easily be discouraged.



This is why I admire the likes of Mr. and Mrs. Paraiso. They are both successful in their chosen fields and don't really need to immigrate to Canada if they are just to think of themselves.

They knew very well that there is a great chance they may start at entry level positions once they landed in Canada. This would be a very tough decision to make specially so if one is already holding a higher management position in a reputable company like Mr. Amando Paraiso. He was classified under Financial Auditors and Accountants.

But because their objective was very clear, that has never been a problem for them. They decided to live and work in Canada thinking of their son's future. They want to prepare a better quality of life for their family, financial security.

From the time they submitted the supporting documents to Canadian Visa Office in Manila, after receiving the positive assessment from Centralized Intake Office (CIO), it took about 8 months before their visas were issued. It would have been shorter if not for the delay in the submission of Saudi Police Clearance.

If you are thinking of living and working in Canada, too, you should ask yourself - Are you doing it for the right reason?

Having a better quality of life requires sacrifice. If you are not prepared to sacrifice a bit, Canada may not be for you.

*For Image and story reference, click here.

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Happy Valentine's Day!

No poems, no fancy words. I just want to greet everyone a Happy Valentines Day!

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Nilson consulting company - Mr. Dennis Lenkovav

Here's another scam that almost victimized one of my blog readers. She was almost ready to pay the US$1,000 being asked by Nilson Consulting Company but decided to send me an email first.

From: *****@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, Feb 8, 2010 at 1:44 PM
Subject: Fw: Dear Applicant
To: Canada Visa Application Online Resource

Dear Mr. Apol,

Good morning, First of all I would like to thanking you for sending me a daily Canada updates.

I am writing a letter to ask your opinion regarding the email I received below. Please let me know if this is scam or not.

Thank you and looking forward to hearing from you.

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: "visa-services@nilsontravelservices.co.cc"
To: ***@yahoo.com
Sent: Thu, January 28, 2010 7:46:07 AM
Subject: Dear Applicant

Nilson consulting company

Ms. *****,

I interviewed you a month ago and placed you under temporary employment to undergo training for 6 month before you will be fully absorbed to work with our company this is a mail reminder that we have been waiting to hear from you as regards our last communication with you through our online live live chat interview with our company please notify us immediately because you asked that we give you until the month end to raise the required fee.

However, in accordance to your cv,resume we have gradually conducted assessment on your behalf earlier so we are waiting for the final processing of your documents. so we will appreciate your quick response for the next step towards our last conversation.

We look forward to welcoming you to Canadian.

Happy New Year God Bless America and Canada God Bless the whole world this new year

Thanks

Yours Truly

Nelson Greg

HR/recruiting/Manager

It's the first time I heard about this Nilson consulting company so I replied by asking more information. While waiting for the information I'm asking, I checked the domain used by Nilson Consulting Company (www.nilsontravelservices.co.cc). It's a travel agency and the site is still under construction.

I search google for more information about Nilson Consulting Company and found this:

From Mr. Dennis Lenkovav
Return-Path:
Received: from 124.237.86.62, China, Chinanet Heibei province network, [anti-spam@ns.chinanet.cn.net]
Reply-to:
From: "Mr. Dennis Lenkovav"
Subject: NILSON CONSULTING COMPANY (NCC) Job Vacancies
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 2009

I am Mr. Dennis Lenkovav, from UK Manchester city, also i am agent to so many Company's here in UK, USA, CANAD, AFRICA AND ASIA and other countries around the world. We are short listing all applicant and we would like to know more details about you. This job offer is to eliminate poverty in the world in 2010, mostly Asia and Africa.

NILSON CONSULTING COMPANY (NCC)
Job Vacancies
Job ID: PKS/JV/GRH 04467-08

Nilson consulting company has immediate employment opportunities. NCC intends to invite experienced individuals/expatriates or Consultancy firm capable of rendering expertise services in various fields of Business Management, M..B.A (Finance), Administrative and Commissioning, NCC has immediate employment/Vacancies in following Designations. Accountant, Duty Manager, Front Manager, Sales Manager, Receptionists, Drivers, Bar boy, Cook, Food & Beverage Cost Controller/Manager, Customer Manager, Computer Applicant, Software/Hardware Engineers, Elect. Engineer, Auto Engineer. E.t.c. Experienced is preferred, but we're willing to train an eager individual who wants to learn all aspects of pastry. We also have job vacancies for Medical practitioners & Nurses for our subsidiary ( health care centre), looking for immediate employment.

We also place individuals between the age of 20 to 45, who are willing to work as a nanny/caregiver, in UK, Canada & USA. Only candidates with a reasonable command of English are eligible to apply for these positions. There are no designated educational qualification for this position under our Canada and UK care given system but candidate must show some level of educational qualification obtained in some areas such as public health care science, or any educational qualification for visa assessment.


ENTITLEMENT, BENEFITS AND PACKAGES;
. A very attractive net salary paid in US$, Sterling or Euros equivalent depending on employee home country and currency preference with annual salary review.
. Quality single or family housing accommodation in company community.
. Free medical/dental care for employee and family.
. Excellent educational assistance benefits with family status employment.
. Paid airfares allowing full flexibility with holiday travel.
. Personal effects shipment and excess baggage allowances.
. Full access to some of the finest and social recreational facilities.
. Life Insurance and Paid vacation.
. Official vehicle/Maximum security in work environment and housing community.

JOB STATUS: This job offer is only open to only interested candidates and those who are eligible and willing to work in Canada OR United Kingdom, either as a skilled, semi-skilled worker visa work permit category. Full-Time and contract

SALARY INDICATION:
JOB STATUS: US$4,500.00-USD8,000.00 depending on your experience, and field of specialization. Enlisted candidates with a valid international
passport are to email resume and details of experience only to: I want you to forward your information to me, so that i will send it to the
Company, before it is too late I will be waiting to hear from you. [Dennis.lenkovav@gmx.com]

Thanks and regards.
Dennis Lenkovav

I was reading the above document when I received a phone call from the blog reader who sent the email.

Here's how she got in contact with Nilson Consulting Company.

One of her friend received an email from Dennis Lenkovav about the job opportunities. The blog reader got interested and sent her resume. An interview (live chat) followed and she's being to pay the US$ 1,000 processing fee. She promised to raise the funds and thus, the follow up letter.

Again, if you are not sure, feel free to ask questions. Only in asking questions that we learn. And knowledge is our weapon against these scammers.

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Designated Medical Practitioners - UAE

If you are in UAE and is being required by the Canadian Visa Office in Manila to undergo medical examination and that you can't leave UAE to undergo medical examination in any of the Designated Medical Practitioners in Manila, do not panic. You can have your medical examination done in Designated Medical Practitioners - UAE.

List of Designated Medical Practitioners in UAE

City	Name	Address	Telephone	Spoken Lanugages
Abu Dhabi	Kais Abu Taha	Hamdan St, PO Box 46467,	(9712) 627-2817	Arabic / English
Abu Dhabi	Abraham Abraham	Al Sh. Zayed, 2nd Street, PO Box 43443,	00 971 2 633 6744
Abu Dhabi	John McCulloch	P.O. Box 8031, Above Al-Noor Hospital, Sheikh Khalifa St	7912 62 62 677	Arabic / English / French
Dubai	Azan Binbrek	Al Abbas, ANZ Grindlays Bank Bldg, PO Box 33537,	(9714) 355-5588	Arabic / English
Dubai	Rita Kovesdi	Health Bay Polyclinic, Villa 977, Al Wasl Rd, Umm Suqeim 2,	+ 971 50 624 8074 www.healthbayclinic.com	Arabic / English / Hungarian
Dubai	Graeme Smylie	Dubai London Clinic, A1 Was1 Road, Jumeirah, 12119,	(971 4) 344 6663	English

For the updated list of Designated Medical Practitioners in UAE, click here.

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Peak Oil Company Ltd. Canada Scam

Since Marriott Hotel and Omni Hotel racket of these scammers are too exposed now, they are now using different names like PEAK OIL COMPANY LTD. CANADA. I received an email from one of my blog readers seeking my advice about the job offer from this company.

On Sat, Feb 6, 2010 at 9:15 PM, ***@yahoo.com wrote:

Dear Mr. Apol Apuntar,

Good day to you Sir! Just to ask important matter with my documents if I should continue or not?

I received a letter of employment from PEAK OIL COMPANY LTD.CANADA with Email: peakoilcompany@gmail.com . This Company send me ONLINE APPLICATION INTERVIEW FORM,PHOTOCOPY OF PASSPORT and two pieces passport size of photo for visa purposes.

After a couple of days I received a letter of the approval of my application interview and attached of that said letter is the CONTRACT/ AGREEMENT JOB OFFER that i signed for my acceptance and scanned. Then I sent back to them. After a couple of days, I received scanned copy of LAWYER ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE FOR VISA SOLICITS ONLINE.

They advice me to send the said document to this email: infos@mail2canada.com or canadavisaonline@mail2canada.com . I did it and after 3 days, i received forms to be filled up with the following forms title:

1. VISA INTERVIEW FORM NO. IMM1295
2. MEDICAL INSURANCE REPORT FORM No. MN/01/355870014CMP
3. APPLICATION FOR AN EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION.
4. WARNING MISREPRESENTATION IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE.

These forms were all filled up with my signature and sent them back to the 2 emails given mentioned above.After 3 days, I received letter from them about payment with attached form titled; VISA PROCESSING PAYMENT GUIDE. and they advice me to pay $167.00 CAD for visa processing to be send thru WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER to the name Immigration Chief Accountant; JOEL ERIC NWODO.

Please kindly give me information regarding this matter.Thank you so much and more power. GOD bless!

With Best Regards,
***

It definitely is a scam! I told the letter sender to just ignore the email and never never send them any amount!

If in doubt whether the job offer you receive is a scam or not, please feel free to email me or check this out: Guaranteed Visas and Jobs in Canada.

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2004 FSW applications now moving

I mentioned on my February 2010 Visa Bulletin that he Canadian Visa Office in Manila is yet to finish applications filed in 2004 and that they stopped at October 2004 and there's no update for the last four months. Well, here's an update.

Yesterday, we received correspondences from the Canadian Embassy Manila for our clients whose FSW applications were filed from October 5-11, 2004.

2004 FSW applications are now moving!

Basically the letter requires the applicants to update their application forms and other information. This includes update on:

Status. You may have additional dependents that need to be updated.

Employment references. You may have transferred from one employer to another. That needs to be updated too.

Criminal clearance. You will need to submit an updated NBI Clearance and Police Clearance from abroad, if applicable.

Proof of Language proficiency. You will be required to submit IELTS Examination results

It looks like that 2004 FSW applications will all be finished this year and hopefully at least half of FSW 2005 applicants.

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Check your SPAM folder!

I got this interesting email from one of my blog readers. If your FSW application is filed years ago and is wondering why you're not hearing from the Canadian Visa Office in Manila even after the waiting period prescribed, you should check your spam folder too!

On Fri, Feb 5, 2010 at 2:10 PM, *** wrote:

Hi, Mr. Apuntar,

Greetings!

After reading your February 2010 bulletin, we checked our spam box and yes, we received an email from the embassy that states my name and file number and says CONFIRMATION as the subject but the email itself is empty. We replied to say that we got an empty email and have yet to receive a reply.

Would you have any idea what it is about? Will really appreciate it!

Thank you and more power!

***

What is that about? My guess is it's just confirming if you have a working email address. I'm not sure though. The best thing to do is hit the reply button if also received that kind of email. And to make sure that you're updated, regularly check your application status online.

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Quebec to take in 3,000 more Haitian immigrants

As part of the Government of Canada's effort to help earthquake victims in Haiti, the Family Class Program will be adjusted for Quebecers of Haitian origin with Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status.

They may now sponsor their brothers, sisters, and adult children older than 22 years. Under normal circumstances, Family Class Sponsorship allows only the qualified dependents (spouse, kids, parents, etc.) are allowed to be sponsored.

Read full story here: Quebec to take in 3,000 more Haitian immigrants

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Working Holiday Visa Program

Have you heard about Canada's Working Holiday Visa program? Simply put, it allows you to travel to Canada and at the same time you will be allowed to work for any jobs depending on on what you want to do and how hard you want to look for a job.


Canada's Working Holiday Visa Program is part of an exchange agreement between Canada and selected countries through which their citizens between the ages of 18 and 35 (some countries limit it to 30) can have a travel, work and life experience in another country. Citizens of participating countries will then have an opportunity to enjoy an extended holiday in Canada while undertaking temporary casual work to supplement their holiday funds.

Unfortunately, it does not apply to Philippine passport holders.

This is applicable to Australia, Belgium, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Rep., Latvia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

Canadian Working Holiday Program is administered by the Canadian Visa Office responsible for each participating countries.

Click here for the details of the program for your country of origin and for more information about Canada's Working Holiday Visa Program.

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Gateway to Canada on Facebook!

Canada Visa Application Online Resource is now on Facebook! Click the Facebook badge in the left and become a fan.

That way, you can also read GatewayToCanada.Com's updates through your Facebook account!

Let's get connected!

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February 2010 Visa Bulletin

Visa Bulletin is a monthly newsletter I am sending to my clients to keep them informed of the latest in Canada's Immigration program.

February 2010 Visa Bulletin is now out!

And, oh, Happy Valentine's Day to all of you!

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